Shakin' the Family Tree

A never ending journey...

Entries tagged with williams

As I write this, I am sitting in one of my favorite places - my east porch, which looks out on gardens I built.

I have lived in this spot for twenty years. As I age, I am very glad I built the bones of these gardens as a younger woman.

And as I admire the results of my efforts two decades ago, I feel very close to both of my grandmothers. They also built gardens, and spent considerable time in their gardens.

Addie Louise Herrington had an herbaceous perennial border six feet deep around the perimeter of her home on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia. I remember especially her camellia, and all of those blue hydrangeas.

Grandma Burris didn't have a porch, apart from the screened entryway to the kitchen. But she and Granddaddy Burris did put lawn chairs in the shaded part of the backyard.

Louise Herrington Burris, 1908-1980

Doris Geneva Balding had a fully landscaped garden - of her design and built with a lot of her sweat. She hired out the large jobs - like the brick wall she paid my dad to build around her back garden.

Grandma Dee had a terrace, and almost always had a comfortable cushion laid out on her favorite terrace chair. She and Papaw Joe used the terrace as an extension of their home, an outdoor room.

Doris Balding Williams, 1907-1998

I totally "get it."

I know why my grandmothers spent so much time and put so much effort in their gardens.

There are times when you have to earth yourself. Times when yanking out weeds, and feeling crumbly earth slipping through your fingers allows you to leave behind what seemed just a few moments ago to be so important.

Times when you lose track of time as you let your garden consume all your senses. When the garden tells you that we are all connected.

And it teaches you that no matter what your spiritual paradigm, we humans are totally unnecessary to the changing of the cycles of nature. We're just gravy on the finished product, and will leave this earthly experience behind one day.

And the cycles will go on. So we don't need to go messing up this wondrous creation with toxins and a laissez faire attitude that we can just use, and use, and use without ever giving back.These days, I am trying to just maintain the gardens. There's enough work in that for me.

My building projects have now turned to gardening in miniature.

gnome garden, May 2015

My anchor plant in the gnome garden is a dwarf twisted Hinoki cypress.

Dwarf Twisted Hinoki Cypress 'Tsatsumi'

This little tree is a slow grower. Eventually it will outgrow the space, getting a couple of feet tall and about as wide. I haven't researched how it would respond to root pruning to keep it smaller. I'm really looking forward to seeing curling bark.

As time goes by, I can enjoy the planning of its replacement, and relocate this little cypress to its own pot.The journey is good. I can make it even better by taking time to appreciate my garden.

Although the family tree is full of veterans and heroes of service - past and present - in the armed forces of the United States, I focus today on my ancestors who served in battles before and during the American Revolution.

James Samuel Ashmore - born 4 Nov 1732 in Harford Co., Maryland Colony. He was the son of Richard Ashmore and Margery Lindley.

James was one of the rabble-rousers who was determined to annoy, harass and set back the cause of our fledgling country's British oppressors.

So in an act of covert defiance, on 2 May 1771, James - along with his half-brother, Joshua Hadley, and several other men - burned a gunpowder train that was on its way to Tory General Waddell, which was intended to be used against the group of colonists protesting the unreasonable taxes being imposed upon them by the Brits. This group of men became known as The Black Boys of Cabarrus County, North Carolina, due to them blackening their faces before setting out on their destructive mission.

In his deposition about the incident taken on 22 Jun 1771, James said:...they found and stopped the waggons and enquired for the powder that was carrying to General Waddell. When in the waggon belonging to Col. Alexander they found the powder and took it out of the waggons, broke open the hogsheads and kegs that contained the powder, and set the same on fire and destroyed some blankets, leggins, kettles, and other things, and then dispersed soon after, having at this deponent first joining of them sworn him to secrecy as they informed who they all before, and further his deponent sayeth not. (Sourced to this website.)

Public sentiment among the colonists grew overwhelmingly in favor of "The Black Boys." As stated here,When the drama of the Revolution opened, these same "Black Boys" stood up manfully for the cause of American freedom, and nobly assisted in achieving, on many a hard-fought battlefield, the independence of our country.

He was the son of David Shion and Mary Williams, immigrants to Delaware Colony from Wales.

Jesse enlisted in the Revolutionary War at Baltimore, MD in the summer of 1776, and as was the practice for the voluntary army made up overwhelmingly of farmers, served his multiple week tours of duty until the summer of 1781. (Sourced to his descendant's application for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, at this link.) Note - paywall for the link.

History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts. 1736 - 1900 by Lucy Jane Cutler Kellogg (publ. E A Hall and Company, 1902) describes Joel Chapin as one of the members of the "committee of inspection" established on 30 Jan 1775, "when war was an almost assured event" in colonial Massachusetts. Although I have been unable to turn up his service record, Joel must have served because his gravestone in Old Cemetery, Bernardston, Franklin Co., MA says he was Lieut. Joel Chapin.

I have occasionally mentioned frequently whined about my great grandmother Maxie Leah Meek's failure to label so many of the wonderful photos in her photo album.

As I initially paged through it after my mother's death in 2004, I wondered why we had so many photos of Teddy Roosevelt in our album. I can imagine that my Williams great grandparents were supportive of their President, but still, it was a mystery to me.

This post is on the Massengale ancestry for one of my friends. We believe James D Massengale was the progenitor of this family. Not much is known about him, or his wife, Mary Sun. Some researchers say she was native, but absent a Y DNA test for some of her female descendants, that would be hard to verify.

There is also lots of quibbling on surname message boards about how many children James D Massengale had, and who they are.

My friend's direct ancestors in bold.First Generation

1. James D Massengale was born in 1760.

James married Mary Sun.

They had the following children:

+ 2 M i. Warren Massengale was born in 1788. He died in 1855/1860.

+ 3 M ii. Reddick Massengale was born in 1789. He died about 1870.

Second Generation

2. Warren Massengale (James D) was born in 1788 in Nash Co., NC. He died in 1855/1860.

Warren married (1) Unknown in North Carolina. Unknown died before 1841.

They had the following children:

4 M i. Warren Massengale .

5 M ii. William Massengale .

6 M iii. John Massengale was born in 1806 in North Carolina.

7 M iv. Joseph Massengale died about 1864 in Shubuta, MS.

+ 8 M v. Jesse Massengale was born in 1812.

9 F vi. Texas Anna Massengale .

10 F vii. Georgia Massengale .Georgia married Bill Morris .

11 F viii. Bessie Massengale died before 1930.

Warren married (2) Susan MNU on 27 Apr 1841 in Jones Co., GA. Susan was born in 1815 in Georgia.

They had the following children:

+ 12 F ix. Elizabeth Massengale was born in 1842.

+ 13 M x. Thomas J Massengale was born in Sep 1845.

+ 14 M xi. Baldwin B Massengale was born in 1848.

15 M xii. Troup Massengale was born in 1855 in Georgia.

3. Reddick Massengale (James D) was born in 1789 in Nash Co., NC. He died about 1870 in Smithville, Monroe Co., MS.

Reddick married Sarah Francis Hawk about 1810, probably in North Carolina. Sarah was born in 1793 in North Carolina. She died after 1860.

They had the following children:

+ 16 F i. Mary Massengale was born in 1811.

+ 17 M ii. Alfred Washington Massengale was born in 1814. He died in 1879.

+ 18 F iii. Nancy Massengale was born in 1819. She died before 1880.

+ 19 F iv. Martha Massengale was born in 1822.

+ 20 F v. Lucinda Massengale was born in 1823.

+ 21 M vi. William Robert (Reddick?) Massengale was born on 13 May 1828. He died on 2 Jul 1903.

+ 22 F vii. Jane Massengale was born in 1830.

+ 23 M viii. James Massengale was born in 1830. He died in 1866.

+ 24 F ix. Anna Elizabeth Massengale was born in 1834. She died before 1880.

Third Generation

8. Jesse Massengale (Warren, James D) was born in 1812 in North Carolina.

Jesse married (1) Nancy Price on 7 Nov 1836 in Perry Co., AL. Nancy was born in 1819 in Perry Co., AL. She died before 1852 in Perry Co., AL.

31 F vii. Sarah Lavina Massengale was born in 1855 in Perry Co., AL. She died in 1925. Sarah married J Elijah Jones on 13 Jan 1872 in Rankin Co., MS. J Elijah Jones was born in 1839 in Alabama.

32 M viii. James Richard Massengale was born on 11 Oct 1856 in Perry Co., AL. James married Mary Susan Burrow daughter of Andrew J Burrow and Mary J MNU on 6 Mar 1886. Mary was born in Jun 1866 in Alabama. She died on 29 Nov 1926.

33 M ix. Joseph Leander Massengale was born in 1859 in Perry Co., AL.

34 F x. Beatrice Alline Massengale was born in Aug 1863 in Perry Co., AL. Beatrice married George Y King on 28 Oct 1879 in Rankin Co., MS. George was born in Dec 1858 in Mississippi.

12. Elizabeth Massengale (Warren, James D) was born in 1842 in Georgia.

Elizabeth married Taliaferro J Jarrell on 16 Sep 1869 in Jones Co., GA. Taliaferro was born in Apr 1849 in Georgia. He died on 17 Jan 1924 in Spaulding Co., GA.

They had the following children:

35 F i. Susan C Jarrell was born in 1871 in Jones Co., GA.

36 F ii. Annie D Jarrell was born in 1873 in Jones Co., GA.

37 F iii. Mary J Jarrell was born in 1875 in Jones Co., GA.

38 F iv. Mittie L Jarrell was born in 1876 in Jones Co., GA.

39 M v. Thomas Jefferson Jarrell was born on 10 Jul 1877 in Jones Co., GA. He died on 21 Mar 1955 in Macon, Bibb Co., GA. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Macon, Bibb Co., GA. Thomas married Lula Forence Everidge in 1900 in Bibb Co., GA. Lula was born in Jul 1878 in Georgia. She died in 1949.

40 F vi. Lille May Jarrell was born on 23 May 1883 in Jones Co., GA. She died on

28 Mar 1918 in Bibb Co., GA. She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Macon, Bibb Co., GA. Lille married William Floyd Preston . William died on 20 Jul 1935 in Bibb Co., GA. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Macon, Bibb Co., GA.

13. Thomas J Massengale (Warren, James D) was born in Sep 1845 in Georgia.

Thomas married Laura J Christian daughter of Lewis Christian and Hester Anne MNU on 7 Jan 1868 in Jones Co., GA. Laura was born in May 1848 in Jones Co., GA.

They had the following children:

41 M i. John T Massengale was born in 1869 in Jones Co., GA. John married Mattie MNU in 1889 in Jones Co., GA. Mattie was born in 1863 in Georgia.

42 M ii. Andrew J Massengale was born in 1871 in Jones Co., GA.

43 M iii. Benjamin L Massengale was born in 1873 in Jones Co., GA.

44 F iv. Viola P Massengale was born in 1878 in Jones Co., GA.

45 F v. Beulah C Massengale was born in Mar 1880 in Jones Co., GA.

46 M vi. Alexander H Massengale was born in Nov 1883 in Jones Co., GA. Alexander married Ida MNU in 1907 in Jones Co., GA. Ida was born in 1890 in Georgia.

14. Baldwin B Massengale (Warren, James D) was born in 1848 in Georgia.

Baldwin married Mary Anne Christian daughter of Lewis Christian and Hester Anne MNU on 31 Dec 1867 in Jones Co., GA. Mary was born on 6 Jan 1845 in North Carolina. She died on 24 Jan 1891 in Jones Co., GA. She was buried in Fortville Cemetery, Fortville, Jones Co., GA.

They had the following children:

47 F i. Lizzie Massengale was born in Aug 1869 in Jones Co., GA.

16. Mary Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1811 in North Carolina.

Mary married Joel A Osborn son of William J Osborn and Nancy MNU. Joel was born in 1811 in Georgia. He died in 1880 in Lamar Co., AL.

They had the following children:

48 F i. Mary J Osborn was born in May 1829 in Georgia. Mary married Amaziah Stafford on 23 Aug 1849 in Itawamba Co., MS. Amaziah was born in Mar 1827 in Mississippi.

49 F ii. Nancy Osborn was born in 1835 in Georgia.

50 F iii. Martha Osborn was born in 1838 in Georgia.

51 M iv. Julius Osborn was born in 1839 in Alabama.

52 F v. Elvira Osborn was born in 1841 in Mississippi. Elvira married James B Gilmore on 6 May 1866 in Itawamba Co., MS. James was born in 1842 in Mississippi.

53 M vi. George W Osborn was born in 1843 in Mississippi. George married Mary Elizabeth Pearce on 9 Nov 1864 in Monroe Co., MS. Mary was born in 1844 in Missouri.

54 F vii. Rhoda A Osborn was born in 1845 in Mississippi.

55 M viii. William Rolen Ausborn was born in Mar 1847 in Mississippi. He died in 1924 in Monroe Co., MS. He was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Hatley, Monroe Co., MS. William married Mary Jane Thomas in 1863. Mary was born in Sep 1845 in Mississippi. She died in 1925 in Miles, Runnels Co., TX. She was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Hatley, Monroe Co., MS.

56 F ix. Carolina Osborn was born in 1847 in Mississippi.

57 M x. James Osborn was born in 1850 in Mississippi.

58 F xi. Amanda Osborn was born in 1857 in Mississippi.

59 F xii. Samantha Osborn was born in 1859 in Mississippi.

17. Alfred Washington Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1814 in Nash Co., NC. He died in 1879.

Alfred married Rhoda M Tyre on 5 Dec 1838 in Itawamba Co., MS. Rhoda was born in 1820 in Alabama.

61 F ii. Nancy Ann Massengale was born on 18 Feb 1842 in Itawamba Co., MS. She died on 23 Oct 1903 in Monroe Co., MS. She was buried in Hatley Cemetery, Hatley, Monroe Co., MS. Nancy married Jesse James "JJ" Nash son of William Nash and Martha Hubbard on 19 Aug 1874 in Monroe Co., MS. Jesse was born on 18 Nov 1818 in Anson Co., NC. He died on 1 Mar 1899 in Hatley, Monroe Co., MS. He was buried in Hatley Cemetery, Hatley, Monroe Co., MS.

63 F iv. Elizabeth T "Betty" Massengale was born on 9 Sep 1850 in Mississippi. She died on 5 Jan 1922 in Monroe Co., MS. She was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Hatley, Monroe Co., MS. Elizabeth married Calvin Lafayette Brasfield son of John Calvin Brasfield and Nancy Hancock on 16 Jul 1877 in Monroe Co., MS. Calvin was born in 1850 in Alabama. He died in 1929 in Monroe Co., MS. He was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Hatley, Monroe Co., MS.

64 M v. James Massengale was born in 1852 in Mississippi.

65 M vi. John Thomas Massengale was born on 20 Apr 1854 in Itawamba Co., MS. He died on 26 Apr 1911. John married Mary L Reedy in 1881 in Itawamba Co., MS. Mary was born on 1 Apr 1854 in South Carolina. She died on 10 Nov 1907.

66 F vii. Mary Lucinda Massengale was born on 15 Jul 1855 in Mississippi. She died on 3 Jun 1914. Mary married William Z (F) Little on 5 Aug 1877 in Monroe Co., MS. William was born on 3 Mar 1855. He died on 6 Oct 1895.

67 M viii. Joseph H Massengale was born in Aug 1857 in Mississippi. Joseph married Henrietta Hawkes on 23 Dec 1885 in Monroe Co., MS. Henrietta was born in Dec 1850 in Alabama.

18. Nancy Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1819 in North Carolina. She died before 1880.

Nancy married Joel Marshall Coker about 1843 in Alabama. Joel was born in 1822 in Alabama. He died on 9 Mar 1888 in Monroe Co., MS.

They had the following children:

68 M i. Joel Lafayette Coker was born on 2 Nov 1854 in Mississippi. He died on 10 May 1926 in Smithville, Monroe Co., MS. He was buried in Bethlehem Cemetery, Smithville, Monroe Co., MS. Joel married Cordelia Francis Ritter in 1881. Cordelia was born on 15 Apr 1862 in Mississippi. She died on 17 Nov 1934 in Smithville, Monroe Co., MS. She was buried in Bethlehem Cemetery, Smithville, Monroe Co., MS.

69 M ii. William Franklin Coker was born in 1856. William married Fannie Higginbotham on 22 Jan 1880 in Monroe Co., MS.

Martha married Harvey (Henry) Sullivan on 3 Dec 1839 in Itawamba Co., MS. Harvey was born in 1813 in Tennessee.

They had the following children:

75 M i. William H Sullivan was born in 1840 in Itawamba Co., MS.

76 M ii. John W Sullivan was born in 1841 in Mississippi.

77 M iii. James H Sullivan was born in 1842 in Mississippi.

78 F iv. Elizabeth Sullivan was born in 1844 in Mississippi.

79 F v. Martha J Sullivan was born in 1846 in Mississippi.

80 M vi. Daniel H Sullivan was born in 1848 in Mississippi.

81 F vii. Susan C Sullivan was born in 1850 in Monroe Co., MS.

20. Lucinda Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1823 in Georgia.

Lucinda married Sampson Stafford on 10 Jul 1844 in Itawamba Co., MS. Sampson was born in 1823 in Tennessee. He died before 1880.

They had the following children:

82 F i. Margaret "Peggy" A Stafford was born in 1845 in Itawamba Co., MS.

83 F ii. Lucinda Virginia Stafford was born in 1853 in Mississippi.

84 M iii. Thomas Stafford was born in 1859 in Itawamba Co., MS.

85 M iv. William H Stafford was born in 1862 in Itawamba Co., MS.

21. William Robert (Reddick?) Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born on 13 May 1828 in Georgia. He died on 2 Jul 1903 in Durant, Bryan Co., OK. He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Durant, Bryan Co., OK.

William married Mary Feltcher Williams, daughter of Thomas Stafford Williams and Martha C "Peachy" Reddin on 28 Mar 1861 in Itawamba Co., MS. Mary was born on 13 Aug 1846

in Mississippi. She died on 13 Feb 1924 in Bryan Co., OK. She was buried in Highland Cemetery, Durant, Bryan Co., OK.

They had the following children:

86 F i. Sarah Jane Massengale was born in Sep 1862 in Itawamba Co., MS. Sarah married Garrett . Garrett died about 1894.

87 F ii. Nancey Ann Massengale was born on 9 Sep 1865 in Itawamba Co., MS. She died on 7 Oct 1906 in Honeyville, Box Elder Co., UT. She was buried in Honeyville Cemetery, Honeyville, Box Elder Co., UT. Nancey married James Lawrence Wise son of James W Wise and Mary Jane Harris on 1 Jan 1884 in Itawamba Co., MS. James was born on 14 Sep 1865 in Amory, Monroe Co., MS. He died on 25 May 1933 in Corrine, Box Elder Co., UT. He was buried in Honeyville Cemetery, Honeyville, Box Elder Co., UT.

88 F iii. Mary Lucinda Massengale was born in Jun 1868 in Itawamba Co., MS. Mary married James B Garrett son of Joseph Garrett and Samantha C MNU on 9 Jan 1887 in Itawamba Co., MS. James was born in Nov 1866 in Alabama.

89 F iv. Martha Ellen Massengale was born on 18 Aug 1869 in Itawamba Co., MS. She died on 13 Mar 1937 in Chickasaw Co., MS. She was buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Chickasaw Co., MS. Martha married (1) George Washington Stafford son of Amaziah Stafford and Mary J Osborn on 11 Sep 1887 in Monroe Co., MS. George was born in Aug 1869 in Itawamba Co., MS. He died before 1907 in Mississippi. Martha married (2) Butts . Butts was born in Alabama. Martha married (3) Hughes .

90 F v. Hattie Massengale was born in 1875. She died in 1879. The cause of death was diptheria.

91 M vi. George Thomas Massengale was born in 1877. George married W M Garrett on 7 May 1892 in Itawamba Co., MS.

92 F vii. Susannah Elizabeth Massengale was born on 24 Sep 1879 in Mississippi. She died on 3 Jan 1946 in Durant, Bryan Co., OK. She was buried in Highland Cemetery, Durant, Bryan Co., OK. Susannah married David T Haskett on 30 Jan 1898 in Itawamba Co., MS. David was born in 1874 in Alabama. He died in 1932 in Durant, Bryan Co., OK. He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Durant, Bryan Co., OK.

93 M viii. James Walter Massengale was born on 21 Jun 1881 in Mississippi. He died on 7 Nov 1954 in Bald Knob, White Co., AR. He was buried in Shady Grove Cemetery, Bald Knob, White Co., AR.

James married (1) Mary L "Polly" Doyberry on 26 Jul 1901 in Monroe Co., MS. Mary died about 1907.

James married (2) Susan Cordia Hancock, daughter of Abner Perry Hancock and Susan Alice MNU on 11 Mar 1906 in Bryan Co., OK. Susan was born on 17 May 1885 in Izard Co., AR. She died on 27 Mar 1965 in West Plains, Howell Co., MO. She was buried in Salem Cemetery, Salem, Fulton Co., AR.

22. Jane Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1830 in Georgia.

Jane married Burrel Pearce on 27 Feb 1850 in Itawamba Co., MS. Burrel was born in 1829 in Mississippi. He died before 1860.

They had the following children:

94 M i. John Pearce was born in 1852 in Itawamba Co., MS.

95 M ii. George Henry Pearce was born in 1854 in Itawamba Co., MS. George married Fannie MNU . Fannie was born in 1862.

96 F iii. Sarah L Pearce was born in 1857 in Itawamba Co., MS.

23. James Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1830 in Georgia. He died in 1866.

James married Elizabeth J Bennett on 13 Apr 1854 in Monroe Co., MS. Elizabeth was born in 1836 in Mississippi.

They had the following children:

97 i. Abram M Massengale was born in 1865 in Mississippi. Abram died in 1867 in Mississippi.

24. Anna Elizabeth Massengale (Reddick, James D) was born in 1834 in GA or AL. She died before 1880.

Anna married Randy Coleman on 4 Nov 1852 in Itawamba Co., MS. Randy died before 1880.

I'm trying to get some hits by researchers of the Massengale/Hancock/Roach families of North Carolina, Missouri and Arkansas.

This is one of the other family trees I research. Comments are welcome. (For guests who comment, you can post a comment anonymously, but will not see your comment until I unscreen it. Not to worry, it's there...)

My friend's direct ancestors in bold.First Generation

1. John Thomas Hancock was born in 1782 in Randolph Co., NC. He died on 24 Feb 1841 in Randolph Co., NC.

John married Mary Saunders. Mary was born in 1785 in North Carolina.

They had the following children:

+ 2 M i. Abner Perry Hancock was born on 22 Jun 1811. He died on 10 Mar 1846.

+ 3 M ii. John Pipkin Hancock was born in 1817. He died in 1880.

+ 4 M iii. Hilary Hogan Hancock was born on 2 Mar 1820. He died on 3 Sep 1898.

+ 5 F iv. Nancy Hancock was born on 17 Dec 1823. She died on 14 Jun 1901.

+ 6 M v. Elias Henderson Hancock was born in 1827.

Second Generation

2. Abner Perry Hancock (John Thomas) was born on 22 Jun 1811 in Randolph Co., NC. He died on 10 Mar 1846 in Randolph Co., NC.

Abner married Mahala Cox on 14 Feb 1832 in Randolph Co., NC. Mahala was born on 10 Sep 1810 in Randolph Co., NC. She died on 15 Oct 1861 in Randolph Co., NC.

They had the following children:

7 F i. Mary E Hancock was born in 1836 in Randolph Co., NC.

+ 8 M ii. John Milton Hancock was born on 27 Aug 1838. He died on 3 Jan 1877.

9 F iii. Nancy Jane Hancock was born on 8 Jun 1841 in Randolph Co., NC. She died on 16 Mar 1927 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. She was buried in Asheboro City Cemetery, Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. Nancy married Randal Presnell . Randal was born on 17 Dec 1848 in North Carolina. He died on 10 Oct 1925 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. He was buried in Asheboro City Cemetery, Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC.

3. John Pipkin Hancock (John Thomas) was born in 1817 in Randolph Co., NC. He died in 1880.

John married (1) Minerva Anne Elliott on 18 Feb 1848 in Wiselane, Randolph Co., NC. Minerva was born in 1830 in North Carolina. She died on 16 Apr 1865 in Lebanon, Leclede Co., MO.

Elias married Lavinia Lewellen on 22 Nov 1846 in Randolph Co., NC. Lavinia was born in 1827 in North Carolina.

They had the following children:

+ 25 F i. Mary Jane Hancock was born in 1848.

+ 26 M ii. Abner Perry Hancock was born on 12 Jul 1849. He died on 8 May 1932.

27 M iii. John J Hancock was born in 1852 in North Carolina.

+ 28 M iv. Benjamin Franklin Hancock was born on 28 Jul 1856. He died on 14 Mar 1940.

29 F v. Minerva A Hancock was born in 1859 in Missouri.

+ 30 M vi. William M Hancock was born in May 1860. He died in 1938.

+ 31 M vii. Robert Lee Hancock was born on 8 May 1863. He died on 11 Jan 1952.

Third Generation

8. John Milton Hancock (Abner Perry, John Thomas) was born on 27 Aug 1838 in Randolph Co., NC. He died on 3 Jan 1877 in Randolph Co., NC. He was buried in Asheboro City Cemetery, Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC.

John married Lydia Jane Page on 26 Sep 1872 in Randolph Co., NC. Lydia was born on 2 Feb 1845 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. She died on 2 Dec 1922 in North Carolina. She was buried in Asheboro City Cemetery, Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC.

They had the following children:

32 F i. Minnie Lee Hancock was born on 14 Dec 1873 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. She died on 30 Oct 1959 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. She was buried in Asheboro City Cemetery, Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. Minnie married William Cicero Hammer . William was born on 24 Mar 1865

in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. He died on 26 Sep 1930 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. He was buried in Asheboro City Cemetery, Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC.

13. John Randolph Hancock (John Pipkin, John Thomas) was born on 23 Jun 1857 in Lebanon, Leclede Co., MO. He died on 29 Oct 1932 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. He was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

John married Predonia Jane Tompkins on 24 Dec 1876 in Randolph Co., AR. Predonia was born on 4 Feb 1860 in Kentucky. She died on 16 Oct 1921 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. She was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

They had the following children:

33 F i. Mary Lou Hancock was born on 28 Nov 1877 in Randolph Co., AR. She died on 9 Apr 1953 in Randolph Co., AR.

34 F ii. Lora H Hancock was born in 1881 in Randolph Co., AR. She died in 1962 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. She was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. Lora married John A Rogers . John was born in 1873. He died in 1949 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. He was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

35 F iii. Kate T Hancock was born on 22 Oct 1883 in Randolph Co., AR. She died on 21 Aug 1925 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. She was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. Kate married Hiram S White . Hiram was born on 29 Oct 1887. He died on 17 Apr 1968 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. He was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

36 F iv. Gusta E Hancock was born on 10 Aug 1885 in Randolph Co., AR. She died on 31 Mar 1959 in Randolph Co., AR. She was buried in Masonic Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. Gusta married Bass .

37 M v. John Willie Hancock was born on 11 Jan 1887 in Randolph Co., AR. He died on 15 Jan 1911 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. He was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

38 M vi. Burley Henderson Hancock was born in 1889 in Randolph Co., AR. He died in 1928 in Randolph Co., AR. He was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

39 M vii. Emmett Winfield Hancock was born on 1 Apr 1891 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR. He died in 1950 in Randolph Co., AR. He was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Pocahontas, Randolph Co., AR.

25. Mary Jane Hancock (Elias Henderson, John Thomas) was born in 1848 in Randolph Co., NC.

Mary married Benjamin F Whittenberg on 1 Nov 1868 in Jasper Co., MO. Benjamin was born in 1842 in Tennessee.

They had the following children:

43 M i. L H Whittenberg was born in Feb 1870 in Dent Co., MO.

26. Abner Perry Hancock (Elias Henderson, John Thomas) was born on 12 Jul 1849 in Randolph Co., NC. He died on 8 May 1932 in Ozark Co., MO. The cause of death was cancer of the skin, mouth and throat per death certificate. He was buried in Bakersfield Cemetery, Bakersfield, Ozark Co., MO.

Abner married (1) Susan Alice MNU about 1870 in Fulton or Independence Co., AR. Susan was born in 1852 in Arkansas. She died about 1897 in Fulton Co., AR.

They had the following children:

44 M i. George H Hancock was born in 1871 in Fulton Co., AR.

45 M ii. Walter Hancock was born in 1877 in Fulton Co., AR.

46 M iii. Faburn Lee Hancock was born on 15 Sep 1884 in Izard Co., AR. He died about 1927. Faburn married Tennie A MNU in 1909 in Fulton Co., AR. Tennie was born in 1895 in Arkansas.

47 F iv. Susan Cordia Hancock was born on 17 May 1885 in Izard Co., AR. She died on 27 Mar 1965 in West Plains, Howell Co., MO. She was buried in Salem Cemetery, Salem, Fulton Co., AR.

Susan married James Walter Massengale, son of William Robert (Reddick?) Massengale and Mary Feltcher Williams on 11 Mar 1906 in Bryan Co., OK. James was born on 21 Jun 1881 in Mississippi. He died on 7 Nov 1954 in Bald Knob, White Co., AR. He was buried in Shady Grove Cemetery, Bald Knob, White Co., AR.

48 M v. John R Hancock was born on 13 Aug 1887 in Izard Co., AR. He died in Sep 1973 in Fulton Co., AR. He was buried in Union Cemetery, Union, Fulton Co., AR. John married Addie MNU . Addie was born in 1887 in Arkansas.

49 M vi. Buford Noone Hancock was born on 30 Apr 1889 in Izard Co., AR. He died in 1957 in Fulton Co., AR. He was buried in Salem Cemetery, Salem, Fulton Co., AR. Buford married Lottie Pearl Lee . Lottie was born in 1894. She died in 1985 in Fulton Co., AR. She was buried in Salem Cemetery, Salem, Fulton Co., AR.

Abner married (2) Sarah Belle Bratton daughter of John Bratton on 14 Feb 1900 in Fulton Co., AR. Sarah was born on 30 Oct 1868 in Tennessee. She died on 16 Mar 1935 in Ozark Co., MO.

They had the following children:

50 F vii. Dora J Hancock was born on 29 Sep 1903 in Wiseman, Fulton Co., AR. She died on 10 Mar 1920 in Bakersfield, Ozark Co., MO. The cause of death was influenza, per death certificate. She was buried in Bakersfield Cemetery, Bakersfield, Ozark Co., MO.

51 M viii. Frank Hancock was born in 1914 in Fulton Co., AR.

28. Benjamin Franklin Hancock (Elias Henderson, John Thomas) was born on 28 Jul 1856 in Asheboro, Randolph Co., NC. He died on 14 Mar 1940 in Kingfisher Co., OK. He was buried in Kingfisher Cemetery, Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co., OK.

Benjamin married Mary Elizabeth Armstrong daughter of James K Armstrong and Lydia L MNU on 12 Nov 1876 in Newton Co., MO. Mary was born on 2 Nov 1857 in Davis Co., IA. She died on 1 Nov 1935 in Kingfisher Co., OK. She was buried in Kingfisher Cemetery, Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co., OK.

They had the following children:

52 M i. James Harvey Hancock was born on 14 Feb 1880 in Shoal Creek, Newton Co., MO. He died on 14 Mar 1919 in Logan Co., OK. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK. James married Mary L Ballard . Mary was born on 17 May 1885. She died on 14 Nov 1914 in Logan Co., OK. She was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK.

53 F ii. Clara B Hancock was born in Oct 1884 in Kansas.

54 F iii. Minnie Minerva Hancock was born in Jul 1887 in Indian Territory, OK. Minnie married George E McKinney .

57 M vi. Robert Perry Hancock was born on 11 Mar 1897 in Logan Co., OK. He died on 24 Jul 1965 in Logan Co., OK. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK. Robert married Lucile C MNU .

58 M vii. Benjamin George D Hancock was born in Mar 1899 in Logan Co., OK.

30. William M Hancock (Elias Henderson, John Thomas) was born in May 1860 in Missouri. He died in 1938 in Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS.

William married (1) Unknown . Unknown was born in Missouri.

They had the following children:

59 F i. Nola M Hancock was born in May 1881 in Missouri.

William married (2) Maggie C Ironsides daughter of George R Ironsides and Emily Kenison in 1886. Maggie was born in Feb 1868 in Indian Territory, OK. She died in 1938 in Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS.

They had the following children:

60 F ii. Luella Hancock was born in Dec 1886 in Indian Territory, OK.

61 F iii. Jessie L Hancock was born in Oct 1888 in Indian Territory, OK.

62 M iv. Robert L Hancock was born in May 1890 in Indian Territory, OK. He died in 1931 in Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS. Robert married Unknown .

63 F v. Nelly I Hancock was born in May 1893 in Indian Territory, OK. She died in 1976 in Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Coffeyville, Montgomery Co., KS.

31. Robert Lee Hancock (Elias Henderson, John Thomas) was born on 8 May 1863 in Cuba, Crawford Co., MO. He died on 11 Jan 1952 in Logan Co., OK. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK.

Robert married Ruth Ellen MNU in 1883. Ruth was born on 28 Nov 1863 in Illinois. She

died on 17 Jul 1928 in Logan Co., OK. She was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK.

They had the following children:

64 F i. Leona A Hancock was born in Jun 1885 in Indian Territory, OK.

65 F ii. Mary Jane Hancock was born on 15 Nov 1887. She died on 6 Dec 1887. She was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK.

66 M iii. Elmer Henderson Hancock was born on 17 Sep 1889 in Indian Territory, OK. He died on 11 Nov 1927 in Logan Co., OK. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Cedar Valley, Logan Co., OK.

Jo Desha and Maxie Leah Williams family, Christmas Day 1900photo by McLeod, the Wild West photographer

Every time I see this one, I just dissolve into gales of laughter.

Can't you just imagine the dinner table discussion a couple of weeks before the holiday?

"Honey, what shall we do this year for Christmas? After all, it's the first Christmas of the new century."

Oh, I don't know. . .hey, why don't we get that McLeod guy to take a picture? We could dress up and go sit outside on some rocks."

"Marvelous idea, darling! And we could put Paul and Cedric on a couple of asses. They've been acting like asses for a few days now. It would serve them right. . ."

The back of the photo has an extensive ad for "McLeod, the Wild West Photographer. . . the man who made Happy Hollow famous the world over."I don't know how you celebrate this holiday season in your home. However you do it, do it with gusto. Laugh and love and enjoy.

You could do it in Williams family style. Dress up in all your finery and go sit on some rocks. Take a photo. Take lots of photos.

From me and the petting zoo at the cottage, happy holidays.This is a recycled post for Sepia Saturday 199.

Was researching some of my Williams family descendants this morning, and ran into a puzzle.

Not that puzzles in my family are out of the ordinary or anything...

But now I'm really curious.Homer Franklin Wells is my first cousin, twice removed.

He was the son of James Webster Wells and my great grand aunt, Margaret Letcher Williams.

He married Ruth Haseltine Hester, daughter of Charles E Hester and America Gooch, date unknown. He and Ruth had two children, Margaret Hester Wells Roper and Calvin Ratcliff Wells.

The Hester family hailed from Virginia. Historic documents indicate their roots were deep in Virginia soil. Ruth was born in Virginia.

In 1930, Homer and Ruth were living in Richmond, VA - a long way from Arkansas where Homer was born. Homer was a foreman for a foil manufacturing company.

In 1940, they were still married, but living about a mile and a half apart in Washington DC. Homer lived in a boardinghouse run by a man named William Miner, who was a marble cutter. Homer was a gardener for the War Department. The address of the boardinghouse was 1113 Massachusetts Avenue NW. Along with several other men, there were two men who worked for the FBI living there. Not all the men had government jobs.

Ruth was living with the kids at 2000 16th Street NW. Her occupation was saleslady.

That seemed curious to me. Why were they living apart in 1940?

It got even more curious.Ruth died in 1943. She was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Louisa, Louisa Co., VA, the town where she was raised, and in the same cemetery as her parents.

In 1951, Homer was living in Manhattan, KS. It was there that he applied for a membership in the Arkansas Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, based on the Revolutionary War service of our many greats grandfather, Jesse Williams, who served in Ens Union's Company, Lux Regiment in the Maryland Infantry.

When Homer died in 1953, he was buried in Ft Leavenworth National Cemetery, Ft Leavenworth, KS - not with his wife. His burial was arranged and marker ordered by his daughter.

And I cannot find any trace on the internet of anyone looking for Ruth's family, or anyone besides me looking for information on Homer Franklin Wells as an adult.

ETA: Thanks to Rainbow, I know now that America Gooch was America Gooch Tisdale.

I was just sure the grave had to be in Oakland Cemetery in Russellville.

Several of my Williamses, including Maxie and Jo's two daughters, Mildred Imognene, and Katherine Leah are buried there.

Why would we have such a large photo - the photo itself measures about 6" by 6" not including its black cardboard mount - unless this was the grave of someone in the family?

Mercifully, our temp stayed under 100 today - it was only 99.

So my first pass through the cemetery was in the car. And none of the tall monuments matched.

So I got out of the car in selected locations and started looking for a monument that could have been broken off, with other stones around it as in the photo. With a raised concrete border around the plot. Or concrete overgrown with grass.

Grace's grave is with her paternal grandmother's, and her uncle's. Her grandma - Josiah's mother - was Elizabeth Frances Gilpin. After she divorced Josiah's dad, she married Samuel Reed Judd. The stone for the family plot says Shinn on one side, and Judd on the other.

I'm starting with Jesse, because he's the first in the line for whom I have documented and reliable information.

And I'm kind of impressed with Jesse - he served in the Revolutionary War, and lived to the ripe old age of 84, when he died after being kicked in the head by a horse he was shoeing...

My direct lines are in blue.

First Generation

1. Jesse Williams was born on 19 Jun 1750 in Newcastle Co.,, DE. He died on 29 Sep 1834 in Rockcastle Co., KY. The cause of death was femoral hemorrhage while putting shoes on a horse. He was buried in Phillips Fam Cemetery, Wildie, Rockcastle Co., KY.

Jesse married Elizabeth Rachel Gott daughter of Richard Gott IV and Elizabeth Unknown on 24 Nov 1774 in Baltimore Co., MD. Elizabeth was born on 3 May 1754 in St Thomas, Baltimore, MD. She died on 11 Oct 1794 in Culpepper Co., VA.

3 M ii. Richard Gott Williams was born on 26 May 1776 in Fredericksburg, Culpepper Co., VA. He died on 3 Jan 1876 in Mt Vernon, Rockcastle Co., KY. Richard married Catherine Holder on 23 Jun 1812 in Richmond, Madison Co., KY. Catherine was born on 4 Apr 1797 in Boonesboro, Clark Co., KY. She died on 2 Apr 1884 in Mt Vernon, Rockcastle Co., KY.

4 F iii. Elizabeth Williams was born on 16 Mar 1778 in Baltimore, Baltimore Co., MD. She died in 1878.

5 F iv. Susan Williams was born on 16 Sep 1781 in Culpepper Co., VA.

6 F v. Sarah Williams was born on 16 Jan 1784 in Orange Co., VA. She died in 1794.

7 M vi. John "Jehu" Williams was born on 11 Oct 1788 in Orange Co., VA. He died in 1859.

8 M vii. Jacob Williams was born on 29 Nov 1790 in Orange Co., VA. He died in 1841.

+ 9 M viii. David Williams was born on 1 Mar 1793. He died on 24 Jan 1858.

Second Generation

9. David Williams (Jesse) was born on 1 Mar 1793 in Orange Co., VA. He died on 24 Jan 1858 in Franklin Co, KY. The cause of death was gastritis, per death record.

David married Elizabeth Rowe, daughter of Thomas Rowe and Rachel Keeling on 15 Sep 1817 in Orange Co., VA. Elizabeth was born on 15 Feb 1789. She died on 10 Jul 1855 in Franklin Co., KY.

They had the following children:

+ 10 M i. Jacob Williams was born in 1822. He died on 29 Oct 1900.

+ 11 F ii. Hettie Rowe Williams was born in Apr 1825. She died on 18 Feb 1906.

+ 12 F iii. Elizabeth (Bettie) G Williams was born on 22 Jan 1827. She died on 12 Dec 1895.

13 F iv. Millie R Williams was born on 12 Apr 1829 in KY. She died on 11 Aug 1900 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

+ 14 F v. Susan G Williams was born in 1830. She died on 8 Nov 1861.

+ 15 M vi. Urban Valentine Williams was born on 9 Nov 1833. He died on 1 Sep 1920.

Third Generation

10. Jacob Williams (David, Jesse) was born in 1822 in Virginia. He died on 29 Oct 1900 in Russellville, Pope Co., AR.

Jacob married Catharine C Mueller, daughter of Jacob Mueller and Elisabeth MNU about 1848. Catharine was born on 28 May 1825 in Baden Germany. She died on 14 Jan 1876 in Kentucky. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

They had the following children:

16 M i. Lucien Eugene Williams was born in 1849 in KY. He died on 27 Dec 1900.

+ 19 F iv. Mildred Carlton "Minnie" Williams was born on 30 Jul 1856. She died on 16 Feb 1932.

+ 20 F v. Margaret Letcher Williams was born on 8 Mar 1861. She died on 19 Jul 1922.

21 F vi. Martha "Mattie" Williams was born in 1865 in Bridgeport, Franklin Co., KY. She died on 14 Apr 1930 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, Cook Co., IL.

Martha married Albert T Fisher son of Lewis Fisher and Elizabeth Richardson. Albert was born on 8 May 1855 in Massachusetts. He died on 28 Apr 1918 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, Cook Co., IL.

+ 22 M vii. Jo Desha Williams was born on 12 May 1866. He died on 23 Dec 1950.

23 M viii. Julian Otis Williams was born in Nov 1869 in KY. He died in Denver, Co.

11. Hettie Rowe Williams (David, Jesse) was born in Apr 1825. She died on 18 Feb 1906 in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Hettie married Andrew Neat . Andrew was born in 1821 in Kentucky. He died before 1900.

They had the following children:

24 M i. Thomas C Neat was born in Apr 1842 in Franklin Co., KY. He died on 1 Feb 1908 in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN. Thomas married Evaline S McDonald on 4 Jun 1868 in Floyd Co., IN. The marriage ended in divorce.Evaline was born in 1847 in Indiana.

+ 25 F ii. Ella J Neat was born in 1846.

+ 26 M iii. Addis Emmet Neat was born in May 1851. He died on 5 Sep 1904.

+ 27 M iv. Benjamin Crittenden Neat was born on 29 Aug 1856. He died on 12 Feb 1919.

+ 28 F v. Estelle A Neat was born on 31 Jul 1859. She died after 1910.

Elizabeth married Jeptha David Robinson, son of Owen Robinson and Sarah Gibson on 30 Sep 1847 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. Jeptha was born on 10 Dec 1811 in Franklin Co., KY. He died on 21 Jul 1892 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. He was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

They had the following children:

+ 29 M i. David Owen Robinson was born on 25 Jul 1848. He died on 16 Nov 1926.

+ 30 M ii. Joseph Austin Robinson was born on 26 Oct 1850. He died on 14 Jun 1914.

31 M iii. Jabez Robinson was born on 19 Aug 1853 in Franklin Co., KY. He died in 1928.

32 F iv. Mary Robinson was born in 1857 in Franklin Co., KY.

33 F v. Hettie Elizabeth Robinson was born in 1858 in Franklin Co., KY. She died in 1927.

34 F vi. Ruth Robinson was born in 1861 in Franklin Co., KY. She died in 1908.

35 F vii. Susan Clementine Robinson was born in 1862 in Franklin Co., KY. She died in 1887.

+ 36 M viii. Jacob Urban Robinson was born in Jun 1864.

37 F ix. Sarah Gibson "Sallie" Robinson was born on 14 May 1867 in Franklin Co., KY. She died on 21 Oct 1950 in Jefferson Co., KY. The cause of death was coronary thrombosis, per death certificate. Sarah married (1) Joseph Thomas on 4 Jan 1893 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. Sarah married (2) Hewitt . Hewitt died before 1950.

38 M x. Frank Williams "Pretty" Robinson was born in 1869 in Franklin Co., KY. He died in 1908.

14. Susan G Williams (David, Jesse) was born in 1830 in Franklin Co., KY. She died on 8 Nov 1861 in Nelson Co., KY. The cause of death was typhoid fever, per death certificate.

Susan married George A Poor son of Erastus P Poor and Dorothy Grant. George was born in 1824 in Maine.

They had the following children:

39 M i. George W Poor was born in 1854 in Kentucky.

40 F ii. Elizabeth Poor was born in 1856 in Kentucky.

41 F iii. Carrie Belle Poor was born in Nov 1857 in Franklin Co., KY.

42 F iv. Millie Poor was born in 1860 in Kentucky.

15. Urban Valentine Williams (David, Jesse) was born on 9 Nov 1833 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. He died on 1 Sep 1920 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. The cause of death was uremia secondary to chronic prostatitis. He was buried on 3 Sep 1920 in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

Urban married Clementine (Clemency) Wilcox daughter of Jesse B Wilcox and Elizabeth Russell on 15 May 1862 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. Clementine was born on 21 Dec 1830 in Franklin Co., KY. She died on 11 Jul 1894 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

They had the following children:

43 F i. Pattie Russell Williams was born on 7 Jun 1865 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. She died on 18 Mar 1910 in Jefferson Co., KY. The cause of death was myocardiac degeneration, acc to death record. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

+ 44 F ii. Minnie Imogene Williams was born on 7 Jun 1867. She died on 26 Aug 1888.

+ 45 M iii. John W R Williams was born on 11 Aug 1869. He died on 5 Jan 1948.

Mildred married Josiah Hazen Shinn, son of Josiah Carlock Shinn and Elizabeth Frances Gilpin on 17 Jan 1875 in Bridgeport, Franklin Co, Kentucky. Josiah was born on 29 Mar 1849 in Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas. He died on 2 Sep 1917 in Washington DC. He was re-buried in Roselawn Memorial Park, Little Rock, AR.

They had the following children:

46 F i. Grace Electra Shinn was born on 9 Oct 1875 in Bridgeport, Franklin Co, Kentucky. She died on 23 Oct 1885 in Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas. The cause of death was typhoid fever. She was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Russellville, Pope Co., AR.

47 M ii. Joseph Roy Longworth Shinn was born on 18 Mar 1880 in Bridgeport, Franklin Co, Kentucky. He died on 13 Feb 1930 in Washington, DC. Joseph married Maud A MNU in 1910/1920 in Washington DC. Maud was born in 1885 in Kentucky.

20. Margaret Letcher Williams (Jacob, David, Jesse) was born on 8 Mar 1861 in KY. She died on 19 Jul 1922 in Benton Co., AR. She was buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR.

Margaret married James Webster Wells, son of Hugh S Wells and Paulina Shinn on 2 Jan 1885 in House of J H Shinn, Russellville, Pope Co., AR. James was born on 10 Feb 1854 in Bentonville, AR. He died on 28 Jun 1931 in Benton Co., AR. He was buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR.

They had the following children:

48 M i. Hugh Desha Wells was born on 3 Jul 1886 in Arkansas. He died in 1920 in Benton Co., AR. He was buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR. Hugh married Minnie Garden . Minnie was born in 1889 in Arkansas.

49 M ii. Homer Franklin Wells was born on 18 Jun 1888 in Arkansas. He died on 1 May 1953 in Kansas. He was buried on 6 May 1953 in Ft Leavenworth National Cem, Ft Leavenworth, KS. Homer married Eula D MNU . Eula was born in 1897 in Arkansas.

50 M iii. Meta Carlton Wells was born in Jul 1890 in Arkansas.

51 F iv. Grace Pauline Wells was born in May 1892 in Arkansas. She died in 1912 in Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR. She was buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR.

52 M v. Raymond Wyatt "Jack" Wells was born on 25 Nov 1895 in Arkansas. He died on 17 Sep 1972 in Benton Co., AR. He was buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR. Raymond married Olivia Adele MNU in 1925. Olivia was born on 4 Dec 1890 in Illinois. She died on 17 Jun 1967 in Benton Co., AR. She was buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton Co., AR.

54 M ii. Cedric Hazen Williams was born on 29 Jun 1892 in Pope Co., AR. He died on 23 Aug 1951 in Crosbyton, Crosby Co., TX. The cause of death was suicide. He was buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR. Cedric married (1) Kathleen Kilgore daughter of Jefferson Davis Kilgore and Cassie L MNU on 14 Jul 1915 in Butler Co., MO. Kathleen was born in 1892 in Missouri. Cedric married (2) Clara Crowe .

55 M iii. Paul Meek Williams was born on 24 Dec 1894 in Pope Co., AR. He died in Feb 1979 in Saline Co., AR. He was buried in Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, Saline Co., AR. Paul married Ruth I MNU . Ruth was born on 19 Oct 1894 in Pope Co., AR. She died in Aug 1982 in Saline Co., AR. She was buried in Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, Saline Co., AR.

56 F iv. Katherine Leah Williams was born on 18 Jul 1899 in Arkansas. She died on

8 Dec 1904 in Russellville, Pope County, AR. She was buried in Oakland Cemetery Russellville, Pope County, AR.

Ella married Emory L Ford son of John B Ford and Mary MNU on 4 Sep 1866 in Floyd Co., IN. Emory was born in 1847 in Indiana.

They had the following children:

58 F i. Hettie Ford was born in 1867 in Indiana.

59 F ii. Nettie Ford was born in 1872 in Indiana.

60 M iii. Leydon Ford was born in 1876 in Indiana.

61 F iv. Stella Ford was born in 1879 in Indiana.

26. Addis Emmet Neat (Hettie Rowe Williams, David, Jesse) was born in May 1851 in Franklin Co., KY. He died on 5 Sep 1904 in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Addis married Sophia B Ashton on 28 May 1874 in Floyd Co., IN. Sophia was born in May 1854 in Indiana.

They had the following children:

62 F i. Nancy Neat was born in Jan 1877 in Floyd Co., IN.

63 F ii. Hollie Neat was born in May 1883 in Floyd Co., IN.

64 M iii. Addis Neat Jr was born in Apr 1895 in Floyd Co., IN.

27. Benjamin Crittenden Neat (Hettie Rowe Williams, David, Jesse) was born on 29 Aug 1856 in Franklin Co., KY. He died on 12 Feb 1919 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. The cause of death was fatty degeneration of the heart, per death certificate. He was buried on 14 Feb 1919 in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Benjamin married (1) Ellen MNU in 1884. Ellen was born in Apr 1858 in Ohio.

Benjamin married (2) Anna H Jackson on 15 Jul 1903 in Floyd Co., IN. Anna was born in 1874 in Indiana.

They had the following children:

66 F ii. Dorothy Neat was born in 1904 in Floyd Co., IN.

67 M iii. Frank W Neat was born in 1907 in Floyd Co., IN.

68 M iv. Leyden R Neat was born in 1909 in Floyd Co., IN.

69 F v. Laura Neat was born in 1909 in Floyd Co., IN.

28. Estelle A Neat (Hettie Rowe Williams, David, Jesse) was born on 31 Jul 1859 in Kentucky. She died after 1910 in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Estelle married (1) Miles Frank Brinkley on 30 Nov 1881 in Floyd Co., IN. Miles was born in Jan 1848 in Kentucky. He died in 1909.

They had the following children:

70 M i. Benjamin H Brinkley was born in May 1882 in Floyd Co., IN. He died on 18 Dec 1906 in Denver, Denver Co., CO.

Estelle married (2) Harry C Doughty on 10 Feb 1910 in Floyd Co., IN. Harry was born in 1858 in Indiana.

29. David Owen Robinson (Elizabeth (Bettie) G Williams, David, Jesse) was born on 25 Jul 1848 in Franklin Co., KY. He died on 16 Nov 1926 in Franklin Co., KY. The cause of death was chronic valvular heart disease per death certificate. He was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

David married Edmonia Hopper . Edmonia was born on 8 Feb 1857 in Franklin Co., KY. She died on 21 Nov 1938 in Franklin Co., KY. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

They had the following children:

71 F i. Jessie Robinson was born on 31 Dec 1880 in Franklin Co., KY. She died on 4 Mar 1896 in Franklin Co., KY. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

72 M ii. George Barnes Robinson was born on 18 Jun 1882 in Franklin Co., KY. He died on 13 Feb 1903 in Franklin Co., KY. He was buried in Frankfort

45. John W R Williams (Urban Valentine, David, Jesse) was born on 11 Aug 1869 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. He died on 5 Jan 1948 in Franklin Co, KY. The cause of death was uremia due to hyperplasic prostate, per death certificate. He was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

John married Susan Morris in 1894 in Franklin Co, KY. Susan was born on 25 Apr 1871 in Kentucky. She died on 22 Feb 1954 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. She was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

They had the following children:

77 F i. Alice T Williams was born in Nov 1897 in Franklin Co, KY. As always, I'm interested in closing any gaps.

Josiah H Shinn Dies in Washington Former Arkansan Had produced Many Historical Volumes(From the Gazette's Correspondent)Washington, Sept. 3 - Josiah H Shinn, aged 68, an employee at the capitol and known throughout the country as a writer of history, died yesterday at his home, 624 Rock Creek Church road.

He was born in Russellville, Ark., March 29, 1849. He wrote for the Arkansas Gazette and Southern School Journal. He established the first chautauquas in Arkansas.

Among his books and pamphlets were, "The South in Public Education," "Illustrated Arkansas," "History of American People," "Education in Arkansas," "Russia at the World's Fair," "English and Russian."

He was registrar for the Arkansas S A R from 1892 to 1894. He was a member of the American Institute in 1894, and an honorary member of the Pennsylvania and West Virginia historical societies. His history on "Education in Arkansas" was published by the government.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mildred C Shinn, and a son, Joe L Shinn. The body was sent to Russellville tonight.Published on Tuesday, 4 Sep 1917, in the Arkansas GazetteMrs. J H Shinn Dies at Home in Washington, D CMrs. Minnie C Shinn, aged 78, widow of Josiah H Shinn, formerly of Little Rock, died at her home in Washington, D C early Thursday. The late Mr. Shinn was superintendent of public instruction in Arkansas from 1890 to 1894. He and Mrs. Shinn moved to Washington about 1902 when he accepted a government position.

He was the author of many historical works. He was a native of Russellville, Pope county, and met Mrs. Shinn at her home in Kentucky after he studied law in Cincinnati, O.

Their home was at Russellville and Magnolia, where he was the principal of schools in those cities and they moved to Little Rock when he was appointed to a position in the state Department of Education before his election as superintendent.

Mrs. Shinn was born at Bridgeport, Ky. Mr. Shinn died in 1917. Their son made his home with his mother until his death two years ago. Mrs. Shinn visited in Little Rock last spring. She is survived by one brother, J D Williams, 2310 Ringo street. Funeral arrangements will be announced by P H Ruebel & Co.Published on Wednesday, 17 Feb 1932, in the Arkansas Gazette

The video below is not old. It's the contents of the video that represents the treasures.

One of my Williams cousins and his wife traveled to Franklin County, KY last summer to photograph the graves of his great grandmother (who was my great-great grandmother), Catherine (Mueller) Williams. He videotaped all the graves in the Williams' family plot and included some wonderful bonus material.

The family plot is in Frankfort Cemetery.

Click here to view the video.My thanks and gratitude go to cousin Cedric, who generously shared the video with me...

It is not often such a sad and unpleasant duty falls to the average newspaperman as confronts the writer of these lines, announcing the death of Little Miss Catherine Leah Williams, the pretty, vivacious and beloved daughter of Mr and Mrs JD Williams, which took place at their home Thursday December 8th, 1904, as the result of croup. To the bereaved father, mother and brothers, of whose life she was the pride and joy; to her little playmates and friends to whom she was so true our heart's sympathy is full to overflowing. Catherine will not pass this way again, her sweet voice is stilled; the busy little hands are folded, but she was of this life so sweet a part that her memory will remain.

The funeral service took place from the Christian church at 3 o'clock pm, Elder C C Cline of Little Rock and Dr Geo. W Harkey of this city officiating. The church had been most beautifully decorated with evergreens and potted plants, while the floral offerings were far more expressive of the tenderness felt for the departed one, her father, mother and brothers than we have words to portray. The attendance was limited only by the capacity of the house to accommodate those seeking admission. Followed by a long procession those precious remains were borne to the city cemetery and laid in the silent tomb, mid the glorious loveliness of a December day.This lock of hair was attached with a straight pin to the page in the Bible where the obituary was glued.

Mrs. Maxie Leah Meek Williams, aged 86, of 2310 Ringo street, widow of Joe D Williams, Sr., died Friday at her home. She was a member of the First Christian church and Little Rock Chapter of United Daughters of Confederacy. Suvivors include two sons, P M and Joe D Williams, both of Little Rock. Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Griffin-Leggett by Rev. Marion A Boggs. Pallbearers will be Leon A Boggs, Walter N Brandon, Joe N Dillard, Harry Shoppoch, Milton Osborn and Joe Caldwell. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.Published on Saturday, 30 Apr 1955, in the Arkansas Gazette

It just took being inspired to find the little plaster of Paris Santas my son decorated the first year I toughed it out as a single mother to find them.

Oh, I found the Santas, all right...and remembered how one rainy fall day I got him to sit with me at the kitchen table, spread some newspaper out, and use our little brushes and acrylic paints to make them our own.

It started us on a homemade ornament tradition. Each year, we added the ornaments he made at school to the tree.

Now, he wanted those little Santas for his own daughters.

I didn't find them in the shed.

But as I was fighting off spiders startled from slumber, and opening one huge Rubbermaid container after another, I found something just as precious.

More ancient family memorabilia...I packed the stuff well. No cooties, and the envelopes were all still intact, photos separated by family surname.

Not even the spiders outran me as I hustled my finds back from the shed to the cottage.

And I have been going through this stuff for hours ever since.I have three of the keepsake books given to families by funeral homes.

I had forgotten about the one for my great grandfather, Jo Desha Williams. And I didn't recall the telegrams.

Maxie followed the directions in the book to the letter.

First his obit...

Arkansas Gazette, Sunday, Dec. 24, 1950Jo Desha Williams, Salesman, DiesJo Desha Williams, aged 84, 2310 Ringo Street, died at his home Saturday. Mr. Williams was a traveling salesman for the U O Colson Co. of Paris, Ill. He was a member of the First Christian Church, a charter member of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the United Commercial Travelers, the WOW and the Modern WOW. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maxine Meek Williams of Little Rock; three sons, C H Williams of Texarkana, and P M and J D Williams, Jr., both of Little Rock; and five grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Griffin-Leggett.Then, there was the genealogy page, in my great grandmother's handwriting.

And the telegrams of condolence...(Cousins, if you want scans of them not in collage form, let me know and I will send them along...)

According to this little book, my great-grandfather was buried at 3 p.m. the day after Christmas. The clergyman who conducted the service was Lauren West.

The irony of my find as I was looking for holiday decorations does not escape me.